This is the Nationals' only split-squad day of the spring. They already won the afternoon game in Viera, beating the Mets 6-5 behind five scoreless innings from Chad Gaudin and a pair of RBI apiece from Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche.

Tonight, Tom Gorzelanny takes the mound for the first time this spring, facing the Astros in Kissimmee. Given Gaudin's strong outing today, not to mention the impressive showings so far this spring from Ross Detwiler and Yunesky Maya, Gorzelanny may be feeling a little pressure to perform right out of the gate.

Bryce Harper, by the way, wound up not playing in the afternoon game wound up getting one at-bat in the afternoon game, flying out to left. Have to figure he'll also work his way into this one. If you want to listen, the Astros' radio feed should be available online…

I am enjoying the success of the Nats during spring training to the point that I am in no rush for the regular season to start. Let's just enjoy the leisurely pace of these games, the improbable success, and the chance to appreciate Brian Bixler and Chad Gaudin as stars.The regular season is likely to disappoint in comparison, but for now the hints of trading someone as inconsequential as Laynce Nix are enough to sustain me as I wait for buds to break.+1/2St.

sm13 said… Mark — It's rare to catch you in an error, but the bix score says Harper was 0-1 entering the Met game as a PH in the 8th inning. But, I'll bet he'd be up for playing two! _______________________________Speaking of errors…What is a "bix" score?